Part Fourty-two

Drying Wet FliesBy George E. Emanuel

Unless you possess the prowess of a Dahl Sheep, you are already
familiar with the sensation of getting a good dunking from time to
time. It is doubtful that even one of those magnificent creatures
could balance themselves on some of the greased bowling balls
that make up the bottom in many of our streams.

For the most part with any luck, only our pride is injured, and our
gear gets wet, but we somehow survive the experience!

However, if you are unfortunate enough to thoroughly dowse your
fly boxes and flies a rather large investment in time or money may
be lost to the evil influence of rust.

You must get your flies dried as quickly as possible after such a
dunking in order to avoid total calamity.

First things first, get out of the wet clothes and hang up what needs
hanging up.

Now, go to the window and open it wide. Remove the screen. Do
not jump out, the situation is not that bad yet.

Lay your fly boxes, open, on the table. Place the screen over the
open boxes.

Now, get the blow dryer and set it on a lower setting and blow your
flies dry. Make sure the screen is on top of them before you start,
otherwise you may be jumping out of that window after all.

With all of the time we invest in tying flies, they are certainly worth
an hour or so of our time to save. I unfortunately am a klutz of the
first magnitude, and my flies have been wet more than once, but I
am happy to say they have all survived these experiences.

In fact I think I heard a Wooley Bugger telling a Royal Wulff that
he looked forward to his Saturday bath!

Have a great day, and remember, keep the felt in contact with the
rocks!

If you have any tips or techniques, send them along, most of this
material has been stolen from somebody, might as well steal your ideas
too!~ George E. Emanuel
(Chat Room Host Muddler)